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Monday, November 15, 2010

The Most Memorable Meal in India - Chole at the Missionaries of Charity Orphanage in Agra

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Tucked behind a gate on Anjmar Road in Agra, is a Missionaries of Charity home. The facility, operated by the order of nuns that Mother Teresa founded, functions as an orphanage and a care facility for the chronic and terminally ill. As I passed through the gate and entered the grounds, I was followed by a young woman who was just completing the first of the ten years required to become a professed member of the community. She was lithe and fair, and her clipped accent indicated she was well-educated and came from a comfortable background. I suspect her task was to see that none of us one wandered into areas where our presence would be intrusive. She, instead, directed us to the right side of the compound and into a room of tiny miracles. Here, in cribs packed back to back, were twenty perfectly formed infants, abandoned, but found before starvation or exposure took their toll. Most of them were sleeping, but here and there you'd find a tiny flirt who'd shyly smile and reach for you. The babies in this room were adoptable and the vagaries of fate would soon take them to homes far from the streets on which they had been found. We passed through a connecting door into another room which told a different tale. Here, the infants and toddlers were dealing with physical or mental limitations that would keep them here until better facilities for their care could be found. Just outside, playing in a courtyard, were healthy children who were too old for adoption. The sisters had assumed responsibility for their education, job training, and, in the case of the girls, the arrangement of suitable marriages when they came of age.

Intent on showing us the others in their care, the young aspirant led us into a shaded courtyard where adult men were having a lunch of Chole and Naan. They were suffering from various mental or physical problems and many were horribly crippled. Off the courtyard was another room for those who were stricken with tuberculosis and AIDS. They were bedridden and obviously very ill. The young woman explained there was no money for the medicine that could effectively treat these men. They were languishing, waiting for a death that would not come quickly. Until it did, the sisters and their volunteers provided as much care and love as they possibly could to ease the final days of these men's existence.

Across the courtyard was a compound for the women that included a small cell-like structure that held some of them under lock and key. They had severe mental problems and the newer arrivals looked malnourished and had open wounds from scratching lice from their scalps and skin. The, soon to be, novice was now walking by my side and I asked how she was able to do this day after day. She smiled, took both my hands in hers and led me back to the children's quarters. There was a quotation hanging on the wall she wanted me to read. I'll share the last few lines of it with you. "I asked Jesus how much He loved me. He answered 'this much.' Then He stretched out His arms and died for me." She asked if I understood. I nodded yes and hugged her.

Today's Recipe

Chole is a North Indian chick pea dish. The base is a tomato gravy to which chick peas are added. Canned chick peas are used in this recipe. Like most Indian curries, spices can be adjusted so the dish is spicy or mild depending on your taste. This recipe will makes a Chole that's on the milder side.

56 comments
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I did not know you were in India! How interesting and that place looks so interesting and these nuns fascinating. I know I would love to eat that chick pea dish. Will have to bookmark it for the next meal.

What a touching story...I worked in an orphanage in Africa a few summers ago, and this post brought back so many memories. These chickpeas sound amazing, but it is your words that truly touched me tonight. Thank you for sharing. I hope your week brims with hope and joy.

What a powerful story! So your guide, she is a nun in training? And it takes 10 years?? That surprises me. My DIL is looking to adopt again, I know she would love one of these babies, but the restrictions in other countries are so that not nearly as many babies get adopted that could be. I mentioned India to her earlier, I'll have to ask her again, it seems there are problems with every country. We are very blessed that they were able to go to China for little Anne. If only the countries that have so many babies would lighten up on the restrictions a bit instead of making them even harsher, many more people would be able to adopt. It seems to be all about governments and big business now.

Wow, that must be a memorable experience. We should really count our blessings with things that we take for granted. This is a really good post. How is the bump on your head and your black-eye? Hope they are much better. Have a lovely and blessed week, Mary.

Goodmorning MAry (...here it's 9.25 am) ...I met Mother Teresa when I was young, she was a miracle!!!! I felt so well near her!!!She was very short...but she got a huge soul!!And even the charity women of her order around the world are great souls!!!Have a very nice week...and blessings ciao Flavia

Mary it really does sound like you had an amazing sojourn. There is a company with whom I would love to travel (Responsible Travel)one day where we can also experience the worlkd through different eyes.

What a touching story and you pen down it so nicely!Thanks for sharing your wonderful journey,I hope you are having great time in India except for some baddest traffic chaos and may be many more other but in midst of all these I see few super delicious dishes that are irresistible! Wish you have a happy safe journey and few colorful memories when you are back home! Love AlwaysSutapa

What a sweet experience for you. I've always wanted to do medical missions trips, guess God will send me when I am to go... It kills me to think some of those people could be better with medications they can't afford there...

This post is making me all teary eyed. Just imagining that place existing right now clear across the world puts everything (even today) into perspective. Thanks for the amazing description and story, I really loved it!

I make a similar dish to this but you have added a few more ingredients here that I am excited to try. Thanks again Mary!

I have only recently discovered the wonders of Indian food from my very own kitchen. This recipe looks like another winner. I worry that I may turn vegetarian though ;-)I am SO enjoying your trip! Carry on!

What a remarkable young woman to visit the orphanage in Agra with. How fortunate that there is such a place for all these needing children and adults. I am wondering, as a real contrast, if you visited the Taj Mahal at the same time?

That brought tears to my eyes, Mary. The Missions of Charity are certainly doing important work..I really enjoyed reading about your experience!I've never made chole...I have already copied the recipe.

I know you must have had a large number of wonderful experiences in India, but I'll guess that nothing topped this. We Human beings have shown ourselves to be capable of unthinkable cruelty - to be reminded that there is unbelievable kindness and goodness is a gift. Thanks for sharing this experience with us.

How wonderful that you were able to travel to India..we support a ministry there and our friends will be travelling there next month for their annual visit. My husband loves chick peas..so I will defiinitely have to serve this to him! Looks wonderful!

Howdy MaryGod Bless you for sharing this post today !Happy Blue Monday to you :)I am so thrilled to know there is still much love and compassiongoing forward in India .May the rest of your week be filled with peace,calm and much joy .big hugs from TexasUntil next time Happy Trails

This story of the orphanage is so heartwrenching, and really reminds me of how blessed I am to have the life I do. Thank you for sharing your incredible, touching experience with us, as well as this wonderful sounding dish.

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